Whether the committee gives Skandera's nomination a do-pass or do-not-pass, the full Senate would have the final vote.

Unless ...

Sanchez, answering reporters' questions, said there's one scenario in which Skandera's nomination would not go to the Senate floor. That's if there is a tie vote. In that case, just like a tie vote on a bill, the nomination would stay in the Rules Committee.

But even if that happens, Skandera would stay on as "secretary designate" with full pay.